fmq on singer 15...taking the plunge
07-27-2014, 05:36 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
You are going to love FMQ on your Singer 15. I have two machines for that purpose. One is at the summer cabin and one at the winter house. They are the best for FMQ in my opinion. I have a fancy $$$$ Viking that I used to use for FMQ but the 15s beat the heck over that Viking.
You asked about suggestions on settings. I watched a utube once on just that topic. It suggested that you put together a small sandwich for practice on your machine. Thread it up with whatever you will be using and FMQ a squiggly line down one side. I write down the tension setting at the top of my squiggle line and turn over my sample to see if there are any 'eyelashes' in the loops. You'll know 'eyelashes' when you see them. Then, turn your tension one number higher or lower and FMQ another squiggly line. Write the number and look again. I've FMQed several lines to determine the best setting for a particular quilt. I've found that using different thread or batting can change which setting looks the best. I go through this pre-FMQ sampler with every quilt I make. It's one of the best suggestions I've ever gotten about FMQing. I hope it helps you as well. I figure after I've spent tons of time and $$$ making a quilt, I need to spend a little more time to decide the correct setting for the quilting.
I'm sure you already know to drop the feeddogs with that little screw under the slide plate. And I use a darning foot made for the Singer 15. I have an original one that came with one of my machines but I bought one from Sew-classic for the 2nd machine and it works just fine, too. I do have to take the thread cutter off my presser bar for them to fit well. I just keep it in the drawer of the cabinet so if I ever need it I can put it back on.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes..... like I said.... you're going to love FMQ on your Singer 15.
You asked about suggestions on settings. I watched a utube once on just that topic. It suggested that you put together a small sandwich for practice on your machine. Thread it up with whatever you will be using and FMQ a squiggly line down one side. I write down the tension setting at the top of my squiggle line and turn over my sample to see if there are any 'eyelashes' in the loops. You'll know 'eyelashes' when you see them. Then, turn your tension one number higher or lower and FMQ another squiggly line. Write the number and look again. I've FMQed several lines to determine the best setting for a particular quilt. I've found that using different thread or batting can change which setting looks the best. I go through this pre-FMQ sampler with every quilt I make. It's one of the best suggestions I've ever gotten about FMQing. I hope it helps you as well. I figure after I've spent tons of time and $$$ making a quilt, I need to spend a little more time to decide the correct setting for the quilting.
I'm sure you already know to drop the feeddogs with that little screw under the slide plate. And I use a darning foot made for the Singer 15. I have an original one that came with one of my machines but I bought one from Sew-classic for the 2nd machine and it works just fine, too. I do have to take the thread cutter off my presser bar for them to fit well. I just keep it in the drawer of the cabinet so if I ever need it I can put it back on.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes..... like I said.... you're going to love FMQ on your Singer 15.
07-29-2014, 05:05 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,136
about "eyelashes" they aren't a tension thing, they are a speed thing. If you tension is fine going straight, then it's fine.
When you get eyelashes, it's because you are physically moving the fabric too fast based on the speed of the machine. If you want to move your hands faster around a corner, then you also have to put your foot down on the pedal a bit harder. Just like driving a car, if you want to go fast around the corner - STEP ON IT! LOL!!!
Seriously though, this is a number one problem newbees have with FMQ - getting a good coordination between hand speed and foot pedal pressure.
It's the main reason I have a speed control device on my Bailey, though I can still move it way faster than it can keep up.
When you get eyelashes, it's because you are physically moving the fabric too fast based on the speed of the machine. If you want to move your hands faster around a corner, then you also have to put your foot down on the pedal a bit harder. Just like driving a car, if you want to go fast around the corner - STEP ON IT! LOL!!!
Seriously though, this is a number one problem newbees have with FMQ - getting a good coordination between hand speed and foot pedal pressure.
It's the main reason I have a speed control device on my Bailey, though I can still move it way faster than it can keep up.
07-29-2014, 06:17 AM
#6
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 54
07-30-2014, 04:59 AM
#7
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 1,382
Originally Posted by MichelleP
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